Deacon Manuel “Manny” L. Ramirez, who served at Holy Infancy Church, Bethlehem, Pa., died Feb. 8 at the St. Luke’s Hospice House in Bethlehem. He was 70.

He was ordained to the permanent diaconate of the Diocese of Brooklyn on Dec. 1, 1979 by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero, at St. James Cathedral, Brooklyn. Upon relocating to the Diocese of Allentown, in July 2001 he was appointed by Bishop Edward P. Cullen to Holy Infancy Church, where he served for 16 years.

Deacon Ramirez is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jeanne (Lopiccolo); a son, Joseph Ramirez, and his wife Jessica; two grandsons and a granddaughter.

He was the brother-in-law of Sister Maryann Lopiccolo, S.C., episcopal delegate for religious in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The funeral Mass took place Feb. 15 at Holy Infancy Church. Interment was in Brooklyn.